Holiday Season's Prime Time For Crime

Extra Police Patrols Help Shoppers, Residents

November 24, 2004|By Nicole T. Lesson Staff Writer

The holiday season is a joyous time, but also an opportune time for thieves to strike.

The FBI reports that burglaries, car thefts, robberies, pickpocketing, credit card scams and crimes at automatic teller machines all increase during December, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Local police departments, as a result, take to the streets and shopping areas to help protect residents.

Broward sheriff's deputies will spend more time patrolling the Weston Town Center and other shopping areas in Weston.

"We spend additional time in the shopping centers to make sure of shopper safety," Lt. Jeff Tozzie said.

Deputies will look for suspicious activities and offer residents holiday safety tips while out patrolling.

"We remind them to lock their car doors and not leave packages in plain view," Tozzie said. "We do the same things we practice throughout the year, by telling residents to secure their residence and be mindful of their surroundings."

In Hollywood, officers are reactivating Operation Reindeer, in which both uniformed and plainclothed officers patrol parking lots and shopping centers.

"We are looking for anything suspicious and making sure the shoppers are safe," said Detective Carlos Negron, a police spokesman.

Officers will keep a close eye out for wrongdoers in busy shopping centers such as Oakwood Plaza.

"[Criminals] look for prey, if they see someone carrying a lot of big boxes and are not aware,'' Negron said. "It's a crime of opportunity."

Residents are encouraged to store shopping bags in their car's trunk, out of view; and shop in groups, park in well-lighted areas and carry a purse close to their body or keep a wallet inside a coat or front pants pocket.

In Pembroke Pines, the Police Department activates its holiday task force at this time of year.

"We deploy officers out to high traffic and shopping areas," said Cmdr. Ken Hall, a police spokesman. "We are going to cover as much ground as we can."

Shoppers who leave packages in their vehicles offer a prime opportunity for thieves.

"They are looking inside cars and breaking into them in the parking lots," Hall said.

In Miramar, officers take part in Operation Silent Night, which deploys the city's finest to busy shopping centers.

The patrolling takes place all day, but intensifies during peak evening and weekend shopping hours, Officer Bill Robertson said.

"It's the time of the season you have more people out visiting the shopping centers," he said. "There is a higher percentage rate that there may be an increase of vehicle burglaries, thefts and robberies."

"We are helping to keep residents safe during the holiday season," Robertson said.

In Cooper City, sheriff's deputies will be on the lookout for suspicious activities in shopping centers, mostly along Flamingo Road.

"We will deploy deputies to shopping areas on bicycles, in unmarked and marked vehicles," Chief John Hale said.

The chief encourages people to stay alert. "If you see a suspicious person, don't go out to the parking area, go back in the store and notify someone," Hale said. "Sometimes you will see people sitting or standing, combing the area looking for an opportunistic time."

Vacation time also goes hand in hand with the holidays and residents are encouraged to secure their homes before leaving.

"Burglaries increase because of the season, and they drive around neighborhoods to pick homes they may target," Negron said.

Negron offered some additional advice: Leave your burglar alarm on, use a timer and motion sensor for outdoor lights and leave a radio or television on while out shopping.

Nicole T. Lesson can be reached at nlesson@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7920.

SAFETY TIPS FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING

1. Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.

2. Dress casually and don't wear expensive jewelry.

3. Shop during the day; if you must shop at night, shop in pairs.

4. Park in well-lighted areas.

5. Lock your car and close windows.

6. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Use a credit card or check to make large purchases.

7. Store packages in the trunk, out of view.

8. Don't carry so many packages that you can't see who is around you.

9. Have your keys ready when walking to the car.

10. Don't leave your purse unattended in shopping carts. It only takes seconds for someone to take it.

11. Watch out for people with cell phone cameras; crooks can use them to photograph credit cards to record a victim's name and account numbers.

12. When shopping with children, teach them to go to a security guard or store clerk if you get separated, and never let them go to the bathroom alone.